Washed Ashore: Pokemon Are Real
Unresolved Regrets

"What should I do?" For a while, Amy lay awake after whispering to her Pikachu toy about how they'd met Professor Oak, but they might actually get to meet a real Pikachu, among other things, her voice finally giving out as her mouth became tired. It still lingered in the back of her head the fact she'd done wrong by forging her parent's signatures, which only made her hug her Pikachu even more. "What am I to do? They aren't going to be looking for me? I mean, they didn't even know I was on the trip."

Eventually, she fell asleep to the snores coming from Heather but awoke when their teacher announced Oak had made breakfast. When she arrived downstairs, she looked around for the scientists. "Where are those scientist people?"

"They're doing errands for Professor Oak. It isn't as if there is much more to do."

"So, when do we get our Pokémon?" Chelsey poked her rice porridge in irritation. Apparently, she didn't like the dish, but she stared at the fish prepared for their meal as well.

"Professor Oak never said he would give anybody a Pokémon."

"That's not..."

"Plus, it's not appropriate for any of you to have a Pokémon before you're ready. There would need to be some ground rules, but I think it is even more important to note that our number one goal is getting home, if at all possible."

"Thank goodness." Heather breathed a sigh of relief. "My mom needs me."

"So that's what she wanted to say last night – that her mother needs her."

"Don't care."

"Wait. You..." Heather turned to look at Felicity. "You were dead set against being here."

"I might marry well."

"You're..." Heather took a deep breath. "You're acting like an idiot."

"There's nothing wrong with taking a healthy interest in guys."

"I'm not sure it's healthy."

"Girls."

"I want to talk about if we do get to have Pokémon."

"Well, Professor Oak is convinced there are things you need to know before you leave on this so-called Pokémon journey and I agree with him. Yes, that means lessons Felicity, Chelsey."

"Why. I just want a Pokémon."

"How are you going to take care of yourselves?"

"Easy. I'm going to beat everybody I battle and earn a ton of money, but the Pokecenter's are free to use."

"You're missing the point." Heather let out a sigh. "It's quite a bit of a walk between some of these cities and might take us a few days. We need to know how to cook, pitch a tent, basic first aide."

"I'm sure I can manage."

"Well, if we decide this is the path, none of you are going unless you can pass the test. Think of me as your teacher in all subjects and Professor Oak as your principle. We've got the ultimate say so, but I am definitely going to defer to Oak in regard to what skills you girls need. As I said though, the focus is on us getting home."

"Are they even going to be looking for us?" Natalie set her hands into her lap.

"Why would you think that?"

"Because my parents wouldn't care."

"Now, why would you think that Natalie."

"Because I've not done anything amazing like my siblings."

"Well, I'm sure at least one person is looking for one of you girls, which means all of us will be found because of that, particularly when we were all noted in being together. Now, your girl's first assignment is to do two things. The first thing I want you to do is to write a letter to your parents in case something happens to you before we get home."

"You're mean!" Chelsey stood up. "If something is going to happen to anybody, it is going to be Heather! I'm going to be an amazing trainer."

"It's a worst-case scenario thing, but will help you girls work out how you're really feeling about all of this." The teacher looked at the five girls. "I also want you, girls, to brainstorm what you think you will need to know if you were to go on a journey."

"I thought the main focus..."

"It is Heather."

"See, she's a coward and wants to go home."

"I told you, my mom needs me."

"Anyways, I'll go and get some paper. Why don't you girls go and get some fresh air once you finished eating."

"I'm done." Chesley got up and hurried for the front door.

"Hold it! You haven't eaten anything."

"Who cares! The food stinks!"

Amy ate a few more bites, then looked her teacher in the eye. "May I finish this later. I'm full."

"Yes, you may Amy."

She slipped from the chair, heading to the outside. She saw a Tauros in the field but watched Chelsey let out a squeal. She walked over to the fence and turned so she might lean against the fence while still clutching her Pikachu toy. "What do I want to say to my parents in a letter? Would they be happy hearing me apologize for signing their names? I didn't mean to do anything bad."

Heather let out a sigh, making her look up and realize the girl was there. "You're having issues thinking of what to put in your letter as well?"

"Well, yes."

"I'm not a coward. My mom really does need me. She works very hard taking care of us kids, so I shouldn't be here goofing off. I mean, I get it's every kid whose into Pokémon's dream come true, but you'd think that there are more important things than silly dreams.

Amy's eyes widened. "Was my dream of doing something fun a silly dream?"

"The teacher's doing her best though, I guess. I mean, we don't know how to get back, but just our luck it's going to be one of those things where we have to go and capture a legendary Pokémon just so that we can get home because they help us, but I don't know if we'll be able to do that given the attitudes of Chelsey and Felicity."

"Why?"

"It will require someone pure of heart, I guess if my theories right. That's how all the stories work, right? I guess that would mean it's you, right?"

"I'm not pure! I'm a very bad girl!"

"Sure you are Amy." Heather ruffled the top of Amy's head before walking away.

"Like a story? This is real life, not a story. Maybe sensei will figure out something. That's the miracle I want to believe in."